Everything happens for a reason. A cultural commentary with a lotta rock-n-roll, semitism, and parenting. See our Etsy Shop! Buy HeadyBands, Hoodies and more at www.wholephamily.etsy.com
There are two videos I would like to share with you.
And one illustration, shown at the end of this blog post.
The first is a Happy Passover message from me and Levi. He is enjoying his egg matzah tam tams already. Wishing you and yours a happy holiday! May it be sweet. Considering I need a quick food to give him, and have no cooked food yet like roasted carrots, sweet potato or zucchini, the tam tams are good. Soft enough like Joe's O's (Cheerio's).
Finally, here is a drawing I am sharing that was sent to the Nunever. It was done by an anonymous fan of his drumming. Talk about it all coming together on one wacked out frazzled Candy man (look at the dude's tie). It's a lot of band music references -- as if the illustrator is thinking that these are *the most* important music influences out there -- but I can see that the illustrator is trying to take it to another level. All things together and connected I agree. Gotta wonder what his very official-looking notes are on the right. Very Wall Street, I would say. Who knows, this person could be a Kellogg or Wharton graduate. My interpretation is that this is what happens when the candy man at shul forgets his kippah and has too much candy. Remember often times the candy man and kiddush club guy is one and the same. So, just remember whatever you do, take care of your shoes. And wear something on your head to shul, dude!
We didn't let a little Wolfman's Brother meltdown get us down this past Saturday night. Fall Tour is upon us and with The Nunever in town and for his first visit ever meeting Eddie, we purchased the webcast for the Saturday night show. There is no finermelava malka that I can imagine.
I love that the Hampton Coliseum, where the 1st three shows of the tour took place, is known colloquially as "The Mothership." Because here we were, in our own house, me being totally the mama and in our own mothership (i.e. our unfinished basement). I have never seen a show at The Mothership, and I look forward to when my brother in law visits (that would be Reba's husband, who I once referred to as Fluffhead here but I don't think Reba liked that so I will just call him Pesach as that is his Jewish name) he will be bringing me his hard drive so I can copy a show that the Dead did in this same venue in 1989 which many people hold in high regard. (shoulda woulda coulda that was my senior year of high school why didn't I go down to Hampton then and see this seminal under-the-radar show not even performed by The Grateful Dead but a band that billed themselves as Formerly the Warlocks but everyone knew they were the Dead!?!? Regret vent of the day complete)
Until then, enjoy a sample from our evening on Saturday night. It's tough to get through the Wolfman Brother's kvetching, but wait till you see the Wolfman himself, a total wook and awesome poi spinner. That kid's gonna shine on Shakedown one day. And when that day comes, I will kvell like only a heimish hippy chick mama can.
You're thinking I'm all spoofin' the Got Milk? campaign.
Nope.
More like the Gat Brothers. Arye and Gil Gat to be specific. The guys who I spotted, like many others, back in the spring, and was searching for them to resurface.
The Nunever, praised be he and thank you for the kesher as always, sent me the link to the other day's post referencing the Gat's recent Jerusalem street performances of Pink Floyd's "Shine on you Crazy Diamond" and Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven."
And now we see then surface on the Israel reality tv show "Rising Star" ("Kochav haBa") which I guess must be similar to American Idol, just a few days ago. Currently this YouTube video is at 20,404 hits.
My prediction?
The Gats go Viral.
However my other prediction didn't come true so I don't think I would trust my predictions. I'm kinda like The Mighty Wind of predictions. Meaning it's not coming true. Shoot, this whole blog could be a Christopher Guest/Harry Shearer mockublog. Not. Best In Show this is not.
Remember! Like 'em? Email 'em at BreslevBrothers@gmail.com
My girl friend here I will for all intents and purposes call Blondie (not her real name, but it really fits for so many reasons) saw the link of the Gats and she told me she had "chills." upon watching it. I consider her opinion highly because she knows good music.
And so I thought of Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in a seminal movie from my childhood.
I like to think of myself as a loving mama. I love my children and I love so much of what they do. I respect their privacy but I am also so proud of some of their things. Naturally, in this day and age I want to share them on the holy grail of the Internet.
For example. After test-running the following image created by my beloved near-8 year old the Wolfman with our very special kin The Nunever, I made the executive decision to share on Facebook and Twitter. The Nunever said it must have been one of my proudest mothering moments. Indeed, I was kvelling. Did the Wolfman specifically say don't share it? No. But if I asked him would he be happy? Don't think so.
This is pretty darn good stuff for your typical Phish-loving mama. Just don't tell the Wolfman about this. And, if you do, tell him it's the least he can do for his mama who doesn't even celebrate the upcoming Hallmark holiday of Mother's Day.
Last week we went to our local Chinatown (oh, how so very different than New York's various Chinatowns, whether on the Lower East Side or in Sunset Park!), and we sought out Chinese New Year's greeting card red envelopes used for money gifts for children (the Chinese do gelt in their own way).
Here is one that we got, in a multipack of other licensed characters:
Stango didn't give me $ in this, but instead he wrote a love note. I know, I know, wrong holiday...but next year, when we know better, we will do it right. And since we don't celebrate the holiday that is on February 14th, this was a good time to jump the gun.
My friend the Nunever consulted with his friend, who is Chinese, and I received the following quite lovely translation and interpretation:
"The top line means be auspicious and wishful, and bottom is happy new year. That's very good because it's integration of Chinese tradition and American culture. Localization always means to me the symbol of being rooted, accepted, united and harmony. We see peace as well from those."
And that is what the Whole Phamily is about.
Of course, we were eating Chinese food when we gave the cards.
We are Jewish, after all.
(What I REALLY want is to make my friend Marci's "Chinese New Year's Cookies" which are so deliciosu and not at all Chinese but they are made with lo mein noodles, butterscotch chips, peanuts, chocolate chips, and it can all be varied. Marci, would you post the recipe?!?!)
Naturally, I am a mother and therefore I relate to the whole mother imagery.
But I love nature, and this week is Tu B'Shvat, which is the Jewish birthday of the trees, and so I am thinking about Mother Earth a little bit more these days. I love this holiday since it is all about nature and trees and Israel. All things I love.
I also love the children's book The Story of the Root Children, which is a lovely story written by Sibylle von Olfers, about 100 years ago. It has a lot of Mother Earth imagery in it. It is the type of book that Waldorf families read. We aren't a Waldorf family, but we do like homemade toys!
you can buy this at Amazon.com. No, I get no compensation for providing you that link. Am I too nice?
Speaking of Mother Earth imagery, I simply love the album art from the Grateful Dead's sixth studio album, Wake of the Flood.
Talk about a very in-shape Mother Earth! Look at those well-sculpted arms. Don't think my own mother would be as jazzed about this album cover as me. Oh well, variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Now, getting back to the title of my blog post.
You see the ocean that is flowing in her veins in this album cover art?
If you don't, maybe you want to at least listen to the song that my friend The Nunever reminded me of this morning, and how its lyrics have great depth and connection and real meaning and all that.
From our melava malka on Saturday night (with Stango and Concealed Light and, if you listen closely, the Wolfman or his brother on percussion which was a plastic bottle):
Here is our Concealed Light yesterday afternoon.
And then a coupla minutes later she picks up our new melodica.
Tune written by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach z'l
Recently, I had the greatest honor to meet the acquaintance of Nigel Savage, founder of Hazon. He has transformed Jewish philanthropy through his organization. Hazon wants you to help "create healthier and more sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond." Sue, a new friend of mine who was introduced to the organization through its trademark bike ride, told me that involvement with Hazon has transformed her life. She recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah, having previously only a minimal knowledge of the alef-beit. I met her last summer through the Hazon CSA, thinking it would be a good way to connect with the Jewish community here in Philadelphia.
I invite you to join us for a shmooze at "Taste of Hazon"
(it is a Tu B'Shevat benefit, and by invite I mean you register for yourself. One day we would love to sponsor a table. We'll get there.)
February 7, 2012
cocktails at 5:45pm
program and dinner at 6:45pm
National Museum of Jewish History Gala Ballroom
101 South Independent Mall East, Philadelphia
This morning I made challah. It is one of the 3 special mitzvot dedicated especially for woman. I most gratefully thank Leah Shemtov for teaching me, in conjunction with my own reading in the Spice and Spirit Cookbook (which phans so avidly refer to it as the "purple cookbook" no joke), the specifics of how to carry out this very holy act which will bring great peace to one's own home and the world.
This is the dough at 8:08am this morning (see clock). I mixed up the dough sometime in the middle of the night, around 2:40am perhaps.
This is the actual challah. The word itself, challah, or in Hebrew lihafrish means "to separate." So, this is the piece I pulled off of the main big batch. Notice it is next to the big bowl in photo #1 as well. This is just a close-up.
Next, you burn it to a crisp in remembrance of the destruction of the Holy Temple (Beit haMikdash) in Jerusalem. It is a sign of being hopeful for the rebuilding of the 3rd Temple, a time of redemption. I know this sounds very, very, very bizarro to the untrained ear and mind. But I am starting to make more sense of this part of the holy act (that is, after all, one of the meanings behind the word mitzvah). Just the fact that I have posted my challah making this morning tells me the time is closer. We'll get there.
Unbaked, braided loaves
Paint with egg. Thanks again to Leah Shemtov; this egg brush is a product of her most excellent program at the Chabad House of Stamford. Notice also mama's last remaining purple nail polish from last week! (mama being me, Loony)
Aw, sweet sweet boy. He is a yum-bun.
This, my phriends, is The Wolfman's Brother. He is almost 4 1/2. He is making a robot challah.
Said robot. Pretty spacey, right? Do you see the two eyes and the tentacles? Pretty out there and phunky!
In wanting to capture an artful look at my homemade challahs, I just "grabbed" (though it isn't nice to grab) one of Stango's jade plants on the windowsill. But since nothing happens by chance and everything happens for a reason, I ask the Nunever to really think deep and hard at the fact that I just seemingly randomly took a Jade plant. Indeed, I was in a rush as it is Friday morning and the last thing I should be doing is blogging about interconnectivity, blah blah blah.
It is weird, I texted Jade the other night after we saw her at the end of the NYE 12/31/11 show that I don't use Jade (I like using her real name but then again the name I call her by isn't her original anyway...and hey Nun, neither is yours!). Ask her if I wrote something to that effect.
However, it seems apropos that I have a Jade plant and I do hope that Jade and the Nunever will make an appearance on the Whole Phamily scene because it pretty much seems like the stars are aligned.
No, I don't know much about astrology. But I asked Schwee about it last shabbes. He knows a lot, but women like Cute Indian Girl and PurpleGirl and other women out there know more. I don't want to misrepresent him. But he is a scientist and he believes in physics and formulas. And yet, Schwee is pretty much out of this orbit. PurpleGirl, do you remember at mine and Stango's wedding, the guys who were rapping the machetunim song? Schwee is one of those dudes. Really smart, really out there. Really not intimidated by that stuff any more because we can all benefit. I mean, the dude is an Argentinian (or I could sound highbrow and say Argentine) tango dancer!
Nunever. Jade. Like my Mid-century kitchen furniture?
Like many kids raised in the '80s, Reading Rainbow, the award-winning PBS show that encouraged children to read by mixing in great music, child book-readers, and funky animation, was a staple. More so for my sister, Reba, who was born in 1980, since this show began its run in 1983, and ran through 2006, but I enjoyed particularly the opening sequence. The song, sung so beautifully by an awesome soulful female vocalist, is ingrained in my memory forever.
thank you www.retrojunk.com for allowing me to post that YouTube. You get full credit for posting that on YouTube. It belongs fully to you.
But all ideas going forward regarding why I am blogging about Reading Rainbow are mine.
Further to Mr. Burton: He is great, and yet I must admit I still have never seen Roots, which also made him famous. And I digress.
Back to Reading Rainbow. What does this have to do with the WholePhamily?
The first two nights of Phish's NYE run at MSG last week, December 28 and 29th 2011, I happened to visit one of my favorite tables as of late, the Waterwheel Foundation. Gotta give it to those guys for recognizing the value and need for such an organization within their larger for-profit venture.
I love seeing what products are there. Last summer I saw a fantastic photo from their NYE show at MSG in 1995 when all of the huge white balls came down. I joked with the seller that it was all "about the visuals" (thank you Stango for feeding me those verbal ideas and so humorously, too). He laughed. But the price...$600 or so...I mean, for me personally I am not into Phish memoirbilia, though it was lovely to invoke that real experience I had (Mik the Fish and I sat directly behind the stage I think in section 69 and those huge balls all came rolling back towards us, it was really a sight to see).
Back to last Thursday...
I saw a phantastic sticker that said "Read the Book" with a rainbow underneath it. Clearly, if you didn't know much about Phishisms, you wouldn't get it. When I mentioned this to Stango he had no idea what the reference was. But if you have the cultural background, you know that it is a direct reference to LeVar Burton's Reading Rainbow, and you felt happy because it created a link between a happy childhood memory and the HPB
aka the Helping Phriendly Book.
At this moment I have Lizard's in my brain. Go figure (hamayvin yavin...translated: if you get it, you get it, more literally it means, "those who understand will understand" If I could only say that about the 613, the taryag, then I would be getting somewhere. Which reminds me of how much I LOVE seeing a Phish show at MSG and through the show glancing up about the stage at the Horowitz jersey...613. Stango or Nunever said that this was likely done on purpose...I mean, it ***is*** New York, after all! But at a Phish show, well...kal v'chomer, dude!!!). I won't make you go searching...613 refers to the number of commandments in the Torah. And taryag is the numerical equivalent...so when people refer to the 613 mitzvot, they will often say, "the taryag mitzvot."
Because everything happens for a reason, it is apropos that the particular link that I chose comes from a show that I believe I was at (I only doubt this because I am too lazy to see if they were in Amherst on 10/24/10 for just that one night or two)...by the way, what a terrific venue. Nunever, Stango and I truly had a lovely time at the show. Thanks Nunever for a smooth ride up to Northampton in your beemer station wagon which you know I love driving.
Back to Gamehenge, it is a made up story, which I know indeed was a document written for a college paper (thesis, right?), but it is rooted in great truths (something like being a good person and always looking towards the light).
Speaking of truth, a big shout out to Brandeis University whose motto is "Truth, Even Unto its Innermost Parts." As a Brandeisian, I can safely offer up a thank you to Louis B himself (pronounced Looey...again, hamayvin yavin) for being a Supreme Court Justice in the first place so the Jewish community could have a person after which to name a university. And a phine university it is. With most excellent research phacilities and phaculty.
Emet = truth
Oh, and a hearty mazal tov upon the recent appointment of the school's new president, Frederick Lawrence, and a baruch dayan emet to the family of Evelyn Handler, the school's 5th president who was niftar in a fatal car crash. See, President Handler, despite the fact that you succeded in getting the Hebrew letters that spell emet off of the school's crest in the 1980's (they were later reinstated. I mean, c'mon, even Yale has Hebrew on its crest. It is a classic language!), as Jews we still respect our tradition when you are gone and include that word when acknowledging your passing into the next world (is it olam haba when you die? I do not have the answer to that, but I think not. Not until moshiach comes. Oh, right, yes I forget, t'chiat hamaytim. So, indeed, yes Mrs. Handler you are simply in another place right now. Who knows, maybe you are kvelling over me right now because I am the only person who has chosen to include you in her blog And what a blog this is, all the cool kids who drink yummy juicy beverages and Kool-Aid like to read this. But in Loony's case, it is actually the real Kool-Aid (which I won't drink any more due to food coloring. Actually, that isn't so true. I would still drink it. Just as a special occassion type thing), but not the Timothy Leary type.
Back to the song Lizards, "The trick was to surrender to the flow" always gets a big cheer, but in real life I would say to go with the flow, and just always go with it. That is what the original PurpleGirl encouraged me to do (I say original because you have many women at shows who like to wear purple, which I think is so terrific, but there is only one and one and only original PurpleGirl at Phish shows.
And she is my very, very , very, very, very, very good phriend. Yep, we go wayyyyyyyy back. This is true!
Though I do give a big shout out to Mik the Fish for schooling me in the wonders of The Color Purple.
(not to be confused with the film that Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg star in)
By the time Saturday night rolled around and Stango came to that show, I wanted him to come with me to the Waterwheel table, and lo and behold, no stickers left (I was so willing and ready to purchase one for the Odyssey). They were donated by someone to Waterwheel and were being sold for $5. Great, awesome, but ya know what, I didn't need that anyway.
The WholePhamily's stuff isn't being donated to Waterwheel, sorry folks. But (shameless shameless plug here...) we can trade our swag for laminates (yes, a girl can dream, right? As if! I mean, that is the type of thing for very important people type stuff and who am I if not l'il Loony) for me, Nunever, Stango, Reba and Phluffhead (since they are so central to the WholePhamily despite the fact that Reba thinks I am totally off my rocker for talking on and on about the ganse mishpucha at shows. Actually Stango does, too. And Nunever. ok, ok, yeah, this is all going way too far. Truth be told, I uttered not *once* about this concept during the NYE run, since I really don't want to get into anyone's faces and I know everyone is there just to have a real good time. But for all intents and purposes, that is my real family at the shows. Even though Nunever and I aren't blood, we are like brother/sister. And not like I call Reba and Phluffhead that in real life, and anyone who knows about the Stango-Loony affair knows that when Stango was only Stango it wasn't really a good thing, yet.)
But, as I determined in the middle of the night last night (indeed, I am writing this on less than 2 hours sleep last night, and I realize of course that I am sacrificing my family's needs right now by blogging and not doing the stuff I need to get done, now *that* isn't good, is it?), I would really be super satisfied if my laminate was numbered 127, as that is a very special number to me very near and dear to my heart. I know this is a really tall order so if I am being totally high maintenance right now, I will tone it down a few notches. Okay, okay, it really doesn't have to have that number. But wouldn't that be fun?!
Oooh, which reminds me, did you see me wearing my purple fleece "fun hat" at the show the other night? What a score that was from Amsterdam in 2002 (my 30th birthday/1 year anniversary trip with Stango, and boy, what a trip that was! Life changing in certain ways. That's where we met the Ninja Rebbe. But about him another time...)
Next time you're in Syracuse, go visit 127 Fayette Boulevard. You will start to begin to understand some of the connections. (just remind me that it has to do with sarah imeinu) As well as my own mother Soroh Gittel herself [hi mom! Don't you have mah jongg today, or is that on Tuesdays? I can't really remember your schedule, sorry! ]
I decided last night that when I get together the swag for the WholePhamily, I will be keeping it close to my own ganse mishpucha (though Reba has stated she doesn't wear shirts to a show as a crew, and I agree this is not really my style either; I was never one to want to draw attention to myself), because I must admit, it is a pretty darn good idea.
If you are a Phishhead.
And you are a phamily person.
Who likes to say phantastic and outrageous..
And the Phliers. (ok, ok, I know it is Fliers)
And is philosophical.
And phriendly.
and phirst and phoremost,
an honest and decent human being who wants to do good, be good, follow the derech ha tov (the good path), and be modest while being clear about her point.
Talk about verbosity!
So, here's what I have to say to you, Title 17 of the United States Code: Phishheads have disregard for you in the lot scene/popular culture element of seeing shows. (I really didn't want to have to elaborate here, but to clarify, we are referring to Copyright law.) And that is all good because without that we wouldn't have a forum where the ideas can flow freely and disburse throughout the world.
But not Loony.
My idea I will be carrying out asap and I will own it and wear it proudly. But maybe just around town. Or, even better, if we can lobby Stango and the Nunever to go to Mountain Jam, that would be the place to debut the shirt in public. Cuz me really has been jonesin' to get a karma wash! That looks fun and good for the kinderlach, too!
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